011223 Japan Tries to Ease Mad Cow Concerns

Tokyo - Japanese agricultural authorities said they will incinerate 13,000 tons of beef in an effort to ease consumer concern over mad cow disease.

Destroying the beef will cost an estimated $158 million, said Keiji Fushimi, an official with the agriculture ministry's meat and egg division.

Targeted for incineration is stored beef processed before Oct. 18, when the government began screening cows nationwide for mad cow disease.

Japan is the only country in Asia where cows have been found with the brain-wasting illness, which has ravaged Europe's beef industry.

Officials in Japan have been scrambling to contain it since the first case was discovered in September. Two other cases of mad cow have been confirmed, and a fourth suspected case was reported earlier this week.

Mad cow disease is believed to spread through cattle feed using recycled meat and bones from infected animals.

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